Flasher system



Feb. E13, 1945.

W. R. SPAULDING FLASHER SYSTEM Filed Dec. 4, 1941 QF 'Zo 26 4 6 INVENTOR. fi/fam /P. 5pm

Patented Feb. 13, 1945 UNITED STATES. PATENT OFFICE FLASHER SYSTEM William Russell Spaulding, Kansas City, Mo.

Application December 4, 1941, Serial No. 421,690

' :(Cl. zoo-90) 1 Claim.

This invention relates to electric lighting systems wherein a gaseous tube is employed and the primary object is the provision of means in the circuit of said system for converting a steady or continuous flow of current from a source of supply into an intermittent or periodic flow, so a flashing effect is imparted to the gaseous tube.

One of the important aims of this invention is the provision of a specially formed electro-magnetically operated means for actuating a cam, having contacts on either side thereof, and thereby interrupting any circuit with which the contact are associated.

An additional object of this invention is the provision of a specially formed electro-magnetically operated means for actuating a pendulum that swings on a shaft carryin the cam; this said means has an armature in electrical contact with a counter-balanced pendulum in such a way that the circuit energizin the electro-magnet is broken by the swing to and from the armature by the pendulum. Thus, the flasher embodies a control for interrupting the current through the flasher, and at the same time, provides a unique means for interrupting a still heavier flow of current required by the gaseous tube apparatus with which the flasher is associated.

The specific form of the electro-magnetically operated converting means is important and forms some of the major objects of this inventionsuch objects will appear during the course of the following specification, referring to the accompanying drawing wherein:

Fig. 1 is a rear elevational view of the flasher with the cover removed.

Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view of the flasher taken on line II--II of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal cross sectional view taken on lines III-III of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 is a schematic view illustratin the electrical circuit and its relation to parts of the flasher.

The flasher is generally associated with a gaseous tube and its apparatus, not shown in the drawing, and is contained in a case 6, being mounted therein on insulating base 6.

The flasher is provided with a set of heavy contacts l0 which open and close the circuit of the apparatus with which they are associated. These contacts H] are opened and closed by the action of cam ll, mounted on a rotatable shaft [2.

Counter-balanced pendulum I4, afiixed to rotatable shaft I2, is secured in a vertical position whereby its lower end, comprising a weight I8, is in electrical contact with armature I6. Pendulum 14 is provided with a 'oountei weight 20, whose position may be shifted to vary the period of said pendulum. Rotatable shaft I2 is positioned by support I3. Armature i6 is energized by electro-magnet 22 when electric current flows therethrough. 'This armature l6 has a spring stop ll and a spring [9 for assisting in the return of said armature 16 to its normal position against stop ll.

Electro-magnet 22 has a copper disc 38 surrounding one end of its pole piece 39, for the purpose of eliminating chatter when the device is supplied with alternatin current.

Contacts ID are secured in position on either side of insulated cam H by supports 46, and accidental displacement of the contacts is prevented by guards 44. I

A thermostatic circuit breaker 36 is included in the circuit so that current flowing therethrough is entirely stopped from time-to-time.

Current for the electro-magnetic flasher is obtained from line 28 by means of conductors 42, secured to terminal 24 and terminal 25 respectively-the latter terminal being provided with a number of taps whereby th same may be em ployed as a common terminal when the flasher is associated with other pieces of apparatus.

Terminal 25 is connected with one side of electro-magnet 22 by means of wire 48, which supplies current thereto. The other side of electromagnet 22 is connected with a wire Which permits current to pass to thermostatic flasher 36 that is normally closed. The other terminal of flasher 3B is secured by means of wire 52 to pi tail 34the latter being attached to shaft l2 whereby current will flow to pendulum M. In its normal position pendulum 14 will be in electrical contact with armature l6 and current will flow therefrom by means of wires 54 to 56 to input terminal 24.

Thus, it is readily seen that the action of current flowing through the aforementioned circuit, is such as will energize electro-magne't 22this will attract armature it which will displace pendulum l4 along the normal path of its swing. As the pendulum is swung outwardly, breaking contact with the armature, the current flowing through the electro-magnet will be interrupted andt he armature will fall back against spring stop l1, and in so doing, will be assisted by the action of spring IS. The pendulum will later return to its normal position and again contact armature l5, whereby the said cycle of operation will be repeated.

During the cycle of operation, shaft l2 will be rotated together with cam II. This cam will function to open contact I0. These contacts and their supports 46 are provided with wires 56 and 58 respectively, whereby current may flow from terminal 24 through the contacts when they are closed, and be conveyed by means of wires 56 and 58 to terminal 26. This terminal 26 also has a plurality of taps so that the flasher may be connected to several pieces of apparatus. Contacts, as can be seen, interrupt only one side of the electrical circuit supplying said apparatus; the other side of said electrical circuit is secured to the apparatus to be operated by attachment with terminal 25.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Let ters Patent is:

An electro-magnetic flasher for electrical circuits comprising an electro-magnet having a coil, one end thereof being connected to one terminal of a source of electric current; a vertically disposed armature in electrical connection with the other terminal of said source of electric current and hinged at its lower end to permit the upper free end thereof to move toward and from the electro-magnet; a spring blade fixed to the upper end of the armature and having its lower free end bearing against the electro-magnet; a resilient stop for said armature when moving in a direction away from the electro-magnet; a vertically disposed counterbalanced pendulum positioned with its lower end normally in electrical contact with the.said armature and having another part thereof connected to the other end of said coil, said pendulum being swung outwardly by the armature when the same is energized whereby to momentarily break the said electrical contact; a horizontal rotatable shaft for supporting the pendulum affixed near the center thereof; a cam at one end of said shaft; and contact elements arranged on either side of the cam and insulated therefrom, said contact elements being normally closed and separated by rotation of the said cam.

WILLIAM RUSSELL SPAULDING. 

